Chapter Twenty-Two: Farewell

Perhaps this unexpected encounter will become a historical pivot point; perhaps a single decision by this small squad will even alter the course of human history.

Of course, perhaps it will not. They are, after all, merely a group of insignificant people.

Regardless, caught in this agonizing moment, everyone’s minds raced with chaotic, fragmented thoughts. Professor Guan needed to be transferred to a base hospital with full medical facilities as soon as possible to have any hope of recovery. The squad’s transport would arrive shortly, and the nearest base was almost certainly their own Central Base No. 3.

The squad had the capability to bring Professor Guan back for treatment, but could they truly afford to save him? There was clearly intense disagreement within North Base No. 1 regarding energy policy, so what about the other bases? What was the stance of Central Base No. 3 on the energy issue? Whose interests were tied to the insect-oil refining and purification supply chain? And could nuclear energy truly overcome all resource and technical limitations to provide power? Was Yang Yuning’s story even credible?

"Report everything up the chain; I’ll do whatever my superiors order!" Yu Shuang said with a forced laugh, pulling out her tablet. She didn't know what kind of reply she would get after reporting; she assumed Old Wei would just tell her to wait and then go to a meeting.

The base would definitely have to communicate and verify things with North Base No. 1. If the final order was to save the man and have their squad bring Professor Guan back to the base, wouldn't that expose the locations of Yang Yuning and Guan Ling? Those who had orchestrated the betrayal at North Base No. 1 would certainly not let Yang and Guan return alive; would they send a "rescue squad" to take them out halfway? Or if the order was not to save him, were they expected to leave a dying man in the wilderness?

Setting aside the matter of conscience, if this Professor Guan was truly a key figure in the center of the power struggle, wouldn't they be inviting trouble for themselves in the future? Although following orders shifted the responsibility, they were the ones executing the tasks; regardless of the outcome, they bore the risk.

Yu Shuang’s finger hovered over the request-to-communicate button, her expression rigid. Yang Yuning shifted slightly, his feet showing a subtle inclination to retreat.

Jiu, who had been as silent as a shadow, suddenly spoke: "Don't move. If you intend to use the Purifier to threaten the squad into providing aid, give up now. You won't get past me."

Yang Yuning stiffened and froze. That thought had only been a fleeting impulse; he wasn't capable of returning evil for good. But without that, he could only leave his fate to the heavens. Yang Yuning felt a cold, desperate rage.

However, Jiu’s next words stunned him and everyone present. Jiu asked those inside the room: "Is Professor Guan currently conscious? Can he answer questions?"

It took a moment for Su Qingran to react. "...He is partially conscious."

Jiu did not move, merely saying to Su Qingran: "Ask him if he knows who the leader of the Xinsheng Base research team is for the magnetic confinement project involving the collaboration between North Base No. 1 and Xinsheng Base."

Qi An could not help but look down at Guan Ling. When she had performed the purification, Guan Ling’s consciousness had been in such chaos that she had only seen a single memory: the tragic scene where his wife was consumed by corruption and then killed by the security forces. She had not seen any fragments related to his work.

Su Qingran repeated the question several times in the ear of the partially conscious Guan Ling. Guan Ling murmured, "It’s... Old Li. Li Liu... that hot-tempered firecracker... he’ll be the death of... someone!"

After hearing this, Jiu, ignoring Yang Yuning’s stunned expression, said calmly: "I will contact my superior and report this."

His communication equipment was much more compact than Yu Shuang’s, and he typed rapidly, without a hint of hesitation, sending the message within a minute. He then turned and walked back into the room, standing not far from Qi An.

Everyone remained stunned for a long time. Suddenly, Yang Yuning’s tablet vibrated; the satellite phone connected automatically, and a steady, calm voice emerged from his earpiece:

"Captain Yang Yuning of the Zhenyue Team 1, this is Bi Xiangyang, Communications Officer of the North Base No. 1 Ground Defense Command. Your direct superior, Team Commander Cheng Hanyu, has been stripped of command over your squad. The Command Headquarters is now speaking with you directly..."

A few minutes after Yang Yuning’s call ended, Yu Shuang’s tablet also buzzed. She had received mission instructions from Wei Fengduo:

[Provide full rescue for the Yang Yuning and Guan Ling squad. You are authorized to bring Professor Guan back to the base for treatment. A support medical team will depart in one hour. Communication codes have been sent; ensure you connect.]

The night returned to its gentle silence, save for the occasional cry of a night bird; the starlight remained brilliant. Those present looked at one another, and after doing so, they all turned their gazes toward Jiu, who was leaning against the wall.

Only then did Yang Yuning ask: "Are you from Xinsheng Base?"

Yu Shuang and Zhao Bohan exchanged a glance, as if they had both realized the truth! This Professor Guan was indeed a key figure in the vortex of the struggle! And Xinsheng Base was a supporter of nuclear fusion research. Jiu had known this; he had asked Professor Guan that question to verify his identity, and once verified, he reported it. It was clear that Jiu’s report could reach the high-level officials of Xinsheng Base directly, and Xinsheng Base could directly contact the high-level officials at North Base No. 1 who also supported nuclear energy research!

This matter, which had been handled with such trepidation by Team 2 and had been a life-or-death situation for Yang and Guan, had been resolved just like that!

Qi An could not help but look at Jiu, and Jiu was looking at her as well. Ever since Yang Yuning appeared, Jiu had put his mask and hood back on, revealing only those eyes like deep lakes. There was a hint of pride in his gaze, as if he were seeking praise. Qi An felt a stir in her heart and lowered her head.

Professor Guan had been injected with a large dose of antibiotics, the needle of a portable IV drip piercing his pale arm. He drifted in and out of consciousness; his body temperature fluctuated, and his corruption levels wavered with extreme instability. Su Qingran and Qi An kept watch in the room all night, until dawn, when the squad sent to retrieve them arrived.

The patient’s condition could not be delayed. After the retrieval squad arrived and rested for half an hour, Yu Shuang gave the order to depart. They were returning to base, and Jiu would not be following; the two parties would part ways here.

The day was clear, the morning mist thin, and the sky had long since been dyed a magnificent purple-red. The vehicles were parked on the slope, and the members of Team 2 took turns shaking hands with Jiu to say goodbye.

"You managed to complete such a difficult mission. Amazing!" Yu Shuang gave a sincere thumbs-up.

Zhao Bohan said nothing, but Zhuang Xiao leaned in close and whispered: "That ‘stealth’ ability of yours—is that a special-type enhancement?"

Jiu paused for a moment, then nodded.

Zhuang Xiao: !!

Special-type enhancements were similar to "superpowers," triggered by radical mutations in specific parts of the body. For instance, some could perceive the Earth’s magnetic field and never get lost, while others could resonate with or even control the emotions of others. There were also those with unlocked lactic acid valves, granting superhuman endurance, rapid healing, farsightedness, or night vision.

Jiu moved without a sound, almost blending entirely into his environment. He could evade people... and given his record of entering a hive alone, he could also evade the perception of the Fallen Bugs. In the world of super-powered individuals, wasn't this ability practically heaven-defying? Zhuang Xiao shed a bitter tear at the thought of how many gods walked this earth while he remained so weak.

Su Qingran said nothing either, but Tang Long handed over a bag of wild greens: "I figured these wild greens might be different from the ones in the Northeast. Take them home and eat them."

Jiu hesitated for a moment, then accepted them.

Qi An also shook hands with Jiu in silence.

The morning sun gradually became dazzling, the road ahead bathed in golden light. Jiu walked toward his black SUV. Qi An felt a sudden sense of regret.

"Jiu" was just a code name; she did not even know this person’s real name.

Just as she was thinking this, the young man suddenly turned back! He was no longer wearing his hood, and his soft black hair was gilded by the sunlight; his eyes were exceptionally bright. He suddenly strode back, arrived in front of Qi An, and whispered in her ear:

"My name is Chen Xi. Please remember me."